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HIV transmission linked to shared manicure instruments
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Transmission of HIV-1 virus may be possible through the shared use of manicure instruments, according to recently published data.
Elaine Monteiro Matsuda, of Santo André AIDS Program, São Paulo, and colleagues described the case of a Brazilian woman aged 22 years with an advanced HIV infection but no obvious risk factors. She reported no symptoms, but was found to have oral candidiasis when physically examined. Laboratory results were normal except for a low platelet count, low CD4 count and a viral load of 64,966 copies/mL.
The patient was confirmed not to have engaged in any form of sexual intercourse and denied blood transfusion, surgery, piercing or tattooing. Her seronegative biological mother also reported that the patient had never used blood products in childhood and never suffered from sexual violence.
The only possible transmission source, the researchers wrote, was shared manicure instruments, including cuticle scissors, about 10 years earlier. The instruments belonged to the patient’s cousin, who during that time was not virally suppressed. The patient and her mother did not learn of the cousin’s diagnosis until after the incident.
Phylogenetic analysis of the patient and cousin’s HIV sequences revealed them to be highly related. Additionally, the estimated common ancestor date coincided with the reported sharing of instruments, leading researchers to believe this led to the transmission.
“In a recent case of transmission among women, the CDC lists, along classical transmission routes, potential alternative sources that must be ruled out, such as tattooing, acupuncture, piercing, the use of shared sex toys between the partners and other persons, and exposure to body fluids, but does not include manicure instruments,” the researchers concluded. “Our case raises the potential role of an additional fomite-related route of transmission of HIV-1.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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